Method and apparatus for casting ingots



Feb 19, 1929. 1,702,886

H. v. ANDERSON METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CASTING INGOTS Filed July 12, 1927 1 NVEN TOR.

Patented Feb. 19, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HAROLD VALARIOUS ANDERSON, OF NORTH OLMSTED, OHIO.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CASTING INGOTS.

Application filed July 12, 1927.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for casting ingots or the like.

As is well known, it is difficult to cool an ingot of steel or the like without the form tion of a pipe at the upper end of the ingot. The pipe formation is due to the manner in which an ingot is permitted to cool. The ingot cools about its sides while its central portion remains in a state of fluidity, and as the central portion of the ingot cools, contraction takes place and a pipe formation results in the upper end of the ingot. The end of the ingot with the pipe formation must be cut off in order to avoid imperfections in the product produced therefrom by rolling or otherwise.

I am aware that different methods and means have heretofore been employed for cooling ingots with the purpose of eliminating piping, and the object of this invention is to provide a new and improved method and apparatus whereby the same purpose may be accomplished in a more highly eflicient and satisfactory manner.

It is also an object of my invention that my improved method and apparatus may be utilized in producing a higher grade of metal in an ingot casting.

Other objects of my invention will hereinilftet' appear in the detail description to fol- It is noted that with filling a mold with molten metal. a formation of gas collects about the mold. I have found'this gas at times forms a layer as thick as one-quarter of an inch and is highly resistant to the passage of heat therethrough.

In carrying out my invention, I provide means whereby an ingot in a mold may cool from its bottom upward in a uniform manner, and the upper portion of the ingot maintained substantially in a state of fluidity while the lower regions thereof cool for setting and contracting, and thus avoid any possibility of piping in the upper end of the ingot. I accomplish the uniform upward cooling of the ingot by circulation of air in such a manner that the layer of gas about the lower portions of a mold, together with the heat radiated from the mold, are washed away by a current of air while the upper portion of the mold is undisturbed and the metal therein maintained in its molten condition. My method of cooling an ingot by circulation of air also permits the heat from Serial No. 205,9A5.

the lower regions of an ingot to be utilized in maintaining the upper endof an ingot in a highly heated state and thereby further ensuing the elimination of piping.

My method and apparatus enables a close regulation of the rate of cooling of an ingot. The circulation of air may be regulated to obtain an exceedin 1y slow cooling of an ingot. I have found by slowly cooling an ingot through certain temperature periods, a finer and better grade of steel alloy or other metal constituting the ingot can be produced.

The invention is illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawings, in which the figure represents a vertical central sectional view through an ingot cooling apparatus by which this invention may be practiced.

Referring'to the drawings more specifical- 1y, 10 indicates generally an enclosure constituting side walls 11-- made of suitable heat insulating material, and preferably concentric to the walls of the ingot mold em ployed such as indicated by the reference numeral 12. A suitable bottom or base for the enclosure is provided such as indicated at 13. The base or bottom 13 is of heat insulating material, and seated thereon is a combined support and bottom 14 for the mold 12. The lower face of the member 14 is provided with lugs 18 to permit free circulation of air beneath said member. The mold 12 may taper toward its upper end as shown and be provided with lifting cars 12. The mold 12may be of such diameter that there is' provided an air space 17 between the mold and inner wall of the enclosure 10.. The enclosure 10 is. provided with an easily removable cover 19 preferably of heat insulating material.

The walls 11 and the base or bottom 13 may be enclosed-by a suitable casing 20. The enclosure 10 .is provided with a plurality of circumferentially arranged series of ports 21. Each series of ports is arranged. one above the other, and each port is provided with an ad-rl-oo justable shutter 22. The shutters 22 are hinged for upward and downward swinging movement, and the adjusting means for each shutter may be of the conventional construction shown at 24. It will be'noted the ports 21 of the lowermost series arearranged in radial alignment with space existing between the bottom 13 and lower face of member 14. The cover 19 is provided with a port-21. This port is preferably located at a central vious to filling the mold with molten metal,

all the shutters 21 may be closed if desired. It is apparent that the mold 12 will absorb a certain amount of heat from the molten metal. The mold 12 is designed so that the drop in the temperature of the-molten metal necessary for equalizing the temperature of the mold is known. Knowing the temperature of the metal when pour'ed into the mold, and knowing the drop in temperature of the metal caused by the cold mold, the actual temperature of the metal at the beginning of its cooling can be estimated. The air space 17 and walls of enclosure provide a high heat insulating means for the metal within the mold 12. The rapidity at which the metal is cooled, may be closely controlled by the shutters 22. If it is desired to cool the metal slowly through a certain temperature period, in order to accomplish certain results in the quality of ingot produced, then only a few of the ports 21 should be opened. If it is desired to obtain a gradual cooling of the metal then more ports can be opened to increase the circulation of air and radiation of heat. In either event such ports should be opened that will cause an upward circulation of air about the mold 12. This will permit the lower portion of the ingot to first set and maintain the upper portion thereof in a liquid state and avoid any pipe formation. If desired, only the lowermost ports can be opened and thus causing a circulation of air beneath the mold. If the uppermost and lowermost ports 21 are opened, then air will circulate upward and about the mold 12 and pass from the enclosure through the port in the cover. The heat from the lower regions of the mold willaid to maintain the metal in its molten state at the upper end of mold and avoid piping. This same operation could be obtained by opening the lowermost ports 21 and port in cover 19. By my form of apparatus any art or portion of the mold can be cooled w ile other portions are maintained heated. If desired, air may be forced upwardly about the mold 12 and thus increase the rapidity of cooling of the mgot;

or air may be circulated about themold in any other known and convenient manner. In either case if the present method of cooling the ingot is utilized any danger of pipe formation is entirely avoided. It should also be noted that if desired, my process of cooling an ingot may be utilized by dispensing with the enclosure 10 and circulating air upwardly and about the mold 12. Also, the mold may be constructed to facilitate circulation of air upwardly and about the same if desired.

While I have shown and described a certain apparatus by which my invention may be practiced, I wish it understood that I am aware many changes may be made in the general combination and arrangement and construction of the parts constituting the apparatus and yet the same operation obtained as indicated by the appending claims.

I claim:

1. An ingot cooling apparatus comprising a heat retaining enclosure having vertically spaced outlets in the side walls thereof and adjacent the bottom thereof, a mold within the enclosure adapted for receiving molten metal and permitting the circulation of air upwardly and about the same, and means for controlling the passage of air through the outlets, thereby permitting the lower end of the mold and various port-ions from the bottom upwardly thereof to be cooled at different intervals.

2. An ingot cooling apparatus comprising a heat-retaining enclosure having verticallyspaced openings in the side walls thereof, a mold within the enclosure adapted for receivin molten metal to form an ingot and also adapted to permit air to enter the openings in the side walls of the enclosure and circulate upwardly and about the same, and means for controlling the passage of air through said openings and thereby regulate the extent of the mold from its bottom upwards, subjected to an upward circulation of air.

3. A method for casting ingots which comprises placing a mold in. a heat-retaining enclosure, pouring molten metal into the mold to form an ingot. circulating air upwardly and about the lower portion of the mold, and then increasing the portion of the mold about which the air is circulated in an upward direction at predetermined intervals.

In testimony whereof I aliix my signature.

HAROLD V. ANDERSON. 

